1. DWP scraps retests for chronically ill claimants
Chronically ill claimants will no longer have to go through reassessments to keep their sickness benefits, the Department of Work and Pensions secretary is to announce. The allowance will continue automatically for those who have lifelong, severe health conditions with no prospect of improvement. Severe Huntington’s, autism and congenital heart conditions, are among those that are likely to qualify.
2. Donald Trump asks Obama 'not to pardon Clinton'
Donald Trump has asked Barack Obama to pledge not to "pardon Hillary Clinton and her co-conspirators for their many crimes against our country and against society itself". The outburst is being seen as an attempt to distract from the controversy over his insults toward a former Miss Universe contestant. Meanwhile, BuzzFeed found that Trump had a cameo in an explicit Playboy video made in 2000.
3. Bees added to the endangered list for the first time
Bees have been added to US endangered species list for the first time. Federal officials say seven types of bees once found in great numbers in Hawaii are under threat. Pollinators like bees are vital for the production of fruits, nuts and vegetables. Officials say the insects represent billions of dollars in value each year to the nation’s agricultural economy.
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4. Harry Redknapp says his players bet on their own match
Harry Redknapp has said his players bet on the result of one of their matches. The former Premier League boss is filmed by the Daily Telegraph asking: "Who gives a s*** about that?" Redknapp said he didn't even realise players betting on games in which they were involved broke FA rules. The paper does not suggest that Redknapp knew the players were betting at the time of the match.
5. Labour suspends Momentum vice-chair Walker
Momentum vice-chair Jackie Walker has been suspended from Labour over comments she made at a party training event. Footage showed Walker saying she had not found a definition of antisemitism she could work with, and questioning why Holocaust Memorial Day did not include other genocides. Former London mayor Ken Livingstone defended some of Walker’s comments, saying "there’s a difference between ignorance and antisemitism".
6. 'Control freak' May abandons Cameron's 'chillaxing' style
Theresa May stands accused of "control freakery" after scrapping the sofa government and "chillaxing" style of David Cameron’s reign. The PM has imposed a formal cabinet government and has been prepared to clash with ministers in the early weeks of her premiership, according to several senior in The Times. Her joint chief of staff is said to have sent "sweaty texts".
7. Scottish boxer dies after fifth-round defeat
Boxer Mike Towell has died in hospital a day after he was seriously injured in a bout, his management have announced. The 25-year-old Scot dubbed "Iron Mike" suffered a fifth-round loss to Welshman Dale Evans in a St Andrews Sporting Club welterweight fight at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Glasgow on Thursday night. In an emotional Facebook post, his partner said: "My baby has lost his daddy."
8. Over 15,000 properties hit by flooding last year
More than 15,000 homes and businesses were flooded across northern England in last year’s storms, new analysis shows. Local councils are still helping flood-hit homes recover from the disruption caused last winter as storms Desmond, Eva and Frank swept across the country, said the Local Government Association. A spokesman added: "The government must be more flexible in its approach to flood funding."
9. Pope tells Moscow to respect national borders
The Pope has told Russia to respect national borders. He spoke as he arrived in Georgia, which has accused Russia of "creeping occupation" by slowly moving the fences that delineate the breakaway areas from the rest of Georgian territory. The Pope said relations between states "can never lay aside respect for the sovereign rights of every country within the framework of international law".
10. Cost of coffee soars by 20% amid Brazilian drought
The price of coffee and orange juice has leapt up 20% due to drought in main growing areas in Brazil and a tree-killing bug. However, the rise in budget supermarkets may just save the day for British consumers. The major chains are trying to fight back against Aldi and Lidl by reducing prices on basics such as fruit, veg, tea and coffee.
